The aim of the NDIS is to provide greater choice and control for people with disability over their disability supports. It will fund reasonable and necessary supports that help people to reach their goals, and to participate in social, economic and community life. The NDIS will help people
to access early intervention supports when they need them and will take a long-term view of the supports a person may need over their lifetime. It will also ensure that carers can continue in their caring role with appropriate and sustainable support.

Work on the implementation of the NDIS in Tasmania is being led by the Department of Premier and Cabinet, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Treasury and Finance.

Tasmania’s transition to the full scheme NDIS

The NDIS commenced in a number of trial sites around Australia in July 2013, including in Tasmania. Tasmania’s three-year statewide NDIS trial is for people with disability aged between 15 and 24 years old. By 30 June 2016, it is estimated that over 1100 eligible young Tasmanians will have NDIS
supports.

On 3 December 2015, International Day for People with Disability, the Minister for Human Services, Jacquie Petrusma MP, announced the details of the agreement between the Tasmanian and Australian Governments on the roll-out of the full NDIS in Tasmania.

From July 2016 Tasmania will be in transition to the full scheme NDIS, and an estimated 10 600 eligible Tasmanians will have entered the scheme by July 2019.

Stakeholder consultation on Tasmania’s roll out of the full NDIS

In early 2015 the Tasmanian Government invited key stakeholders to inform the development of Tasmania’s transition arrangements through the NDIS Transition Options Reference Group. The role and membership of the Reference Group are described in the Terms of Reference:

Tasmanian disability services system

Throughout the NDIS trial, the current Tasmanian disability services system will continue to provide the same level of services and supports to clients and families. Existing clients of disability services will continue to receive their supports during the transition stage until they are eligible to transition to the NDIS.